Accessibility and perceived value of health services in five western Illinois rural communities

The purpose of this study was to determine the accessibility and perceived value of health services in five selected rural communities in South Fulton County, Illinois. The Health Services Accessibility and Value Scale (HSAVS ) component of the larger Fulton County Health Care Survey was used in the investigation. The 12 items comprising the HSAVS surveyed participant perce ptions relative to medical, dental, nursing, and public health department s ervices available to them as rural residents. The HSAVS was completed by 10 79 subjects. The reliability of the HSAVS was assessed by computing coeffic ient alpha. The scale had acceptable internal consistency reliability (alph a = .7884). To examine the construct validity of the scale, a principle com ponent factor analysis was completed. This analysis resulted in a four fact or solution which accounted for 66.6% of the cumulative total variance. Ite m means were calculated and were used to rank the HSAVS statements. Emergen cy and primary medical services were valued the most by the survey particip ants, Relatively high in importance to the rural residents surveyed were ac cess to pharmacy, eye care, dental care, and immunization services. Availab ility of home health care, transportation to and from health care facilitie s, and access to mental health services were considered to be of lesser val ue to persons living in the rural area studied. Of least importance were al cohol and other drug counseling services, prenatal care/well baby services, and family planning services. HSAVS total scores and individual statements were also analyzed by sex, age, place of residence, and income and the res ults were reported.